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O silken hair
O silken hair,
your tight winding
lovingly subdues
captive hands.
No steel and iron chain
can show such strength.
Who could pull apart your knot
tied so fast around love’s hand?
O golden thread,
your colour strengthens
and far exceeds
the shine of Arabian gold.
No radiance rivals yours,
the sun’s rays make way for you.
Who could with unwavering gaze
look on you and not go blind?
O sonorous string,
when you stir
and lovingly strike
a breath of air,
no resonance on earth
can be thought so sweet.
Who could not be happy then
when such a string sounds?
English translation by Paul Archer of the text of O seidene Härelein by Johann Hermann Schein (1586-1630). Published in Musica boscareccia, Dritter Theil, Leipzig (1628).
See the copyright notice below.
O seidene Härelein
O seidene Härelein,
Eur feste Schlingen
In Lieb bezwingen
Gefangene Händelein.
Kein Kett von Stahl und Eisen
Kann solche Macht beweisen.
Wer wollt zerreissen eure Band,
Verknüpft so fest an Liebeshand?
O güldene Fädelein,
Eur Farb erhöhet,
Sehr weit vorgehet
Arabischen Goldes Schein.
Kein Glanz sich euch vergleichet,
Der Sonnenstrahl euch weichet.
Wer wollt mit unverwandtem Gsicht
Euch schauen und verblendet nicht?
O klingende Saitelein,
Wenn euch beweget
Und lieblich schläget
Ein sausendes Lüftelein,
Kein Resonanz auf Erden
So süss erdacht kann werden.
Wer wollte denn nicht fröhlich sein,
Wenn klingen solche Saitelein.
Copyright notice. The translation is provided as an aid to musicians and audiences. Publication of the translation in print or digital formats is expressly forbidden unless permission from the author has been first obtained and acknowledgement of authorship is duly made. Permission will usually be granted so please contact Paul Archer with details of how you wish to make use of the translation.
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